Read Perfume: the story of a murderer recently. It's one of the few books for english class that I'd read in my spare time.

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Tue Nov 27, 2012 5:00 pm

Nyaliva

Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:18 amPosts: 437Location: Australia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Wow, I wish my school had've set books like that for English. We didn't get anything that wasn't a Bildungsroman (coming of age story) until grade 12. There was maybe one of them that was actually any good and one was just disturbing...Then grade 12 we got "Of Mice and Men", "Macbeth" and then three books of our choice from the Canon. That was one of my favourite years of English.

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Currently I am reading the Chronicles of Amber. It is a pretty interesting series, and oddly there is a role playing game based off it.

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Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:16 pm

Penwrite

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:03 amPosts: 3380Location: Canterlot

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

I have heard of that book but I have not read it yet. I really want to!

When I was in high school they made us read "Atlas Shrugged". It is the single worst book I have ever read and it gave me a burning hatred for Ayn Rand and everything that she stands for! Uh!

But they did let us read "The Odyssey" by Homer. I love that book!

I went through an Objectivist phase, but that's neither here nor there. What I can tell you is that Rand's The Fountainhead is NOT the worst book I've ever read. Actually had a somewhat engaging story of one man's struggle for artistic integrity against a tradition-worshiping establishment, when it wasn't getting bogged down by philosophical tracts straight at the reader.

Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:31 pm

Nyaliva

Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:18 amPosts: 437Location: Australia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

I have heard of that book but I have not read it yet. I really want to!

Which one specifically?

Quote:

When I was in high school they made us read "Atlas Shrugged". It is the single worst book I have ever read and it gave me a burning hatred for Ayn Rand and everything that she stands for! Uh!

Man, what is with all of these cool schools setting interesting books for English? I've got "The Odyssey" somewhere in my bookshelf but I have yet to read it.

"Perfume". I have heard that it is good.

Rick/Peanut's comic is makes the book seem far more complex than it actually is. The only thing I could add is that reading that book is only slightly more pleasant than pouring lemon juice into an open wound. Not that it does not have its place in the world. There is a short leg on my couch and "Atlas Shrugged" is the perfect size to prop it up.

"The Odyssey" is a great book! Other than being an important early example of Western literature, it is a good adventure story. It gave me a greater appreciation for Ancient Greek culture and history. After that I read "The Iliad" and "The Aeneid" for fun.

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Thu Nov 29, 2012 12:05 am

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

I have heard of that book but I have not read it yet. I really want to!

When I was in high school they made us read "Atlas Shrugged". It is the single worst book I have ever read and it gave me a burning hatred for Ayn Rand and everything that she stands for! Uh!

I have heard of that book but I have not read it yet. I really want to!

When I was in high school they made us read "Atlas Shrugged". It is the single worst book I have ever read and it gave me a burning hatred for Ayn Rand and everything that she stands for! Uh!

But they did let us read "The Odyssey" by Homer. I love that book!

They made you read that doorstopper? That's just sad. I'm so sorry.

It was just one of the many depressing moments in my life. What made it worse was the teacher was a fanatic freak over this book. I would ask out right questions and she would tell me to shut up. Basically she said "Its Ayn Rand! Its great! You are not! Don't question it!"

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:08 pm

Seth

Moshpit Addict

Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:32 amPosts: 5583Location: We outch hyah

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I finished 1984 a few days ago and started Frankenstein. Looks like I'll reach my goal of finishing both of them over break.

1984 is one of the best books I've ever read. It's right up there with Brave New WOrld and A Clockwork Orange as far as dystopian novels go. I went into it with really high expectations and it definitely lived up to them.

_________________I think in Non-sequiturs

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Mon Dec 31, 2012 7:18 pm

Radio Blue Heart

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:27 pmPosts: 2391Location: North Carolina

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I just picked up a very amusing book. I first found it at the library but I had to get a copy of my own. Luckily it was dirt cheap online. Just $4.25 with shipping. It is called "World's Weirdest Comic Books". That is actually the subtitle, the full title contains a humorously censored profanity. It has articles about incredibly strange, offensive or shocking comics that are funny for all the wrong reasons.

There is one furry comic referenced.

Quote:

I finished 1984 a few days ago and started Frankenstein. Looks like I'll reach my goal of finishing both of them over break.

1984 is one of the best books I've ever read. It's right up there with Brave New WOrld and A Clockwork Orange as far as dystopian novels go. I went into it with really high expectations and it definitely lived up to them.

Good for you, Seth! Frankenstein is an excellent novel. Take note that not all the parts used to create the monster are not human, but animal. And, Baron Frankenstein studied alchemy as well as medicine and galvanization. The creature is the beginning of a new species and not just a collection of body parts.

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:20 pm

Penwrite

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:03 amPosts: 3380Location: Canterlot

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Currently reading Wearing the Cape right now, after getting it for Christmas. First superhero novel I've ever read, and pretty good so far.

Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:43 pm

Radio Blue Heart

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:27 pmPosts: 2391Location: North Carolina

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I came back with my treasures from Barnes and Noble. It did not go as far as I would have liked but I got "The Book of Cthulhu" edited by Ross E. Lockhart, it's an anthology of Cthulhu mythos short stories. "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle, can't believe I don't already own a copy! And, finally a Godzilla graphic novel. I had to make some tough choices, but the others I can get for cheaper online. They had a really nice hardcover of a new translation of "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and a book on politics.

Over all a good haul. I read "A Colder War" by Charles Stross. Its a Cold War themed story with both sides using Lovecraftian creatures and concepts as weapons.

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Tue Jan 01, 2013 9:57 pm

Penwrite

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:03 amPosts: 3380Location: Canterlot

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

I came back with my treasures from Barnes and Noble. It did not go as far as I would have liked but I got "The Book of Cthulhu" edited by Ross E. Lockhart, it's an anthology of Cthulhu mythos short stories. "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle, can't believe I don't already own a copy! And, finally a Godzilla graphic novel. I had to make some tough choices, but the others I can get for cheaper online. They had a really nice hardcover of a new translation of "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and a book on politics.

Over all a good haul. I read "A Colder War" by Charles Stross. Its a Cold War themed story with both sides using Lovecraftian creatures and concepts as weapons.

My brother got a new edition copy of The Last Unicorn at a local convention this past summer. It was signed by the author and everything! I read it, it was really good.

Tue Jan 01, 2013 10:25 pm

Radio Blue Heart

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:27 pmPosts: 2391Location: North Carolina

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

Penwrite wrote:

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

I came back with my treasures from Barnes and Noble. It did not go as far as I would have liked but I got "The Book of Cthulhu" edited by Ross E. Lockhart, it's an anthology of Cthulhu mythos short stories. "The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle, can't believe I don't already own a copy! And, finally a Godzilla graphic novel. I had to make some tough choices, but the others I can get for cheaper online. They had a really nice hardcover of a new translation of "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, the Egyptian Book of the Dead, and a book on politics.

Over all a good haul. I read "A Colder War" by Charles Stross. Its a Cold War themed story with both sides using Lovecraftian creatures and concepts as weapons.

My brother got a new edition copy of The Last Unicorn at a local convention this past summer. It was signed by the author and everything! I read it, it was really good.

That's cool! Did he actually meet Mr. Beagle? Or was it signed for someone else who later sold it.

I have two books autographed by the author. "Return of the Living Dead" by John Russo and "Hour of the Beast" by C. Michael Forsyth. I met them both at the same convention.

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:44 am

Penwrite

Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:03 amPosts: 3380Location: Canterlot

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

He actually met the author. :3

Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:16 am

Nyaliva

Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:18 amPosts: 437Location: Australia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I think the only signed book I have is my Bittersweet Candy Bowl Vol. 1 book. I even got a sketch of Mike and Lucy in the front cover. Then again, I mostly read books written by people who are dead, so it'd be a little hard to get signatures.

_________________Feel like you need a friend? I'm happy to talk anytime!

Well, I can add another signed book to my list: I got my College Catastrophe book in the mail today and was pleasantly surprised to find the author had signed it "For Andrew! Jan" and sketched the head of his fursona (and main character) in the cover! Certainly didn't expect that!

_________________Feel like you need a friend? I'm happy to talk anytime!

I found a Godzilla book today! It is a junior fiction, light novel called "Godzilla versus the Space Monster" (I guess I won't spoil it by saying that the space monster is Ghidorah). It was a quick read and even though I am not the target audience, I rather enjoyed it! It is part of a series of junior fiction novels. I have two of them and I think I might try to track down the others just for the fun of it.

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:27 pm

Nyaliva

Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:18 amPosts: 437Location: Australia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I just finished reading Edgar Allen Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum and Other Stories" which basically had his entire work of short stories. If you're into his style of subject matter (and the old style of vocabulary he uses) then they are amazing. Almost every story ends with a brilliant twist so you're left in awe. In two of them, he spends several pages simply describing in absolute depth the concept of analysis. I'd give a review of every story if I could, while the main character of each is usually mortally or mentally ill, every story is completely unique. And it goes without saying that his poetry is fantastic.

Now onto "War of the Worlds"!

_________________Feel like you need a friend? I'm happy to talk anytime!

I can't believe I didn't see this thread before!I like to read A LOT, even besides comics.

Fo example, some of my favourite books/series are:

The Chronicles of Narnia (all seven books)The Lord of the Rings (All three books)The Hobbit Left Behind (all however many dozens of books there are (I'm gonna guess its over 50 if you include the "Left Behind: The Kids" series as well.))and of courseAutumn Rain (a book being written by a friend)

I have a wide variety of tastes, so there are a lot of other books besides these ones I've read before =)

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Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:45 pm

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I've been reading Redwall. Its combination of family appropriateness and semi-innocent cuteness and lack of restraint with violence is rather charming. It's cute without babying the reader too much.

I am reading a book about the Sumerian civilization and when I am done I am going to start H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness".

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:55 am

UnChance

Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:00 pmPosts: 13Location: brb

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I've been hearing Neil Gaiman's name a lot recently. What work of his should I read?

On a side note, I started reading Infinite Jest. I'm not sure if I'm excited or terrified that it's over 1000 pages.

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Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:02 pm

Seth

Moshpit Addict

Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:32 amPosts: 5583Location: We outch hyah

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I've only read the first volume of sandman but it was reallly good. I'd suggest starting there.

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"I told you not to put metal in the science oven! What'd you do that for?"

Only kind of a jerk.

Tue Mar 12, 2013 5:07 pm

Radio Blue Heart

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:27 pmPosts: 2391Location: North Carolina

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

UnChance wrote:

I've been hearing Neil Gaiman's name a lot recently. What work of his should I read?

On a side note, I started reading Infinite Jest. I'm not sure if I'm excited or terrified that it's over 1000 pages.

Try his books "American Gods" and it's sequel "Anansi Boys". They are excellent!

_________________"I have known hardship and learned to aid the wretched."-Virgil

Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:40 pm

Seth

Moshpit Addict

Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:32 amPosts: 5583Location: We outch hyah

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I've recently started Beyond good and evil by Nietzsche. It's a lot more readable than other philisophical texts I've read. THe man certainly had a flair for the poetic.

_________________I think in Non-sequiturs

"I told you not to put metal in the science oven! What'd you do that for?"

Only kind of a jerk.

Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:23 am

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

So I finished Redwall, and I think I'm really going to like this series. I like the animals-as-fantasy races thing a lot. One complaint, however, is foxes. The book is from the perspective of mice, so badgers, cats, owls and snakes are all depicted as huge and dangerous. But if you read Redwall and have never heard of a fox before, you would have no reason to believe they were any bigger than rats. I'd rather not see them as the frail, tricky race they're depicted as. Some size consistency, please!

Okay, having finished Dorian Gray, I can put forth my total opinion, which is that it's a good idea that was poorly written.

There are quite a few intriguing ideas and characters at the heart of it, but they're so hard to see against the distracting glare of how badly paced and weirdly structured the whole thing is. I mean, the first six chapters could have easily been condensed, since the section- nay, the entire book- consists mostly of Lord Henry enjoying to the sound of his own voice. Once it starts to finally get interesting, what with Sibyl's suicide, Dorian's portrait aging, and the skip ahead in time, Wilde suddenly decides it's time to let loose his character's entire encyclopedic knowledge of pointless miscellany for an entire chapter.

I haven't read it, but it sounds exactly like the kind of book that The Princess Bride (the book) was parodying... particularly the "hat excision" in chapter three. Which is why I haven't read it... I've read enough "great novels" of that period that follow the same exact conventions that I don't think I could stand another one.

ONWARDS and ON TOPIC...

Currently reading the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka, right after finishing off the Dresden Files and the Jonathan Shade novels. Recently read the whole Monster Hunter series. I think I'm going through an Urban Detective Sorcery phase. Any suggestions? I've already read all the Lord Darcy novels, and tried to get into some of the older steampunk (eg, Jeter's stuff) and couldn't really get into it, though I found The Affinity Bridge by George Mann enjoyable and may pick up more of that series for all it's been critically panned.

Oh, and of course I've polished off all the Laundry novels.

Ideal would be a good urban sorcery detective novel set in the Mouse World but written for adults.

NINJA EDITS:

Radio Blue Heart wrote:

Try his books "American Gods" and it's sequel "Anansi Boys". They are excellent!

Last weekend I visited a Barnes & Noble bookstore for the first time since before Christmas! While there, I purchased for the pleasing sum of $20 the complete works of William Shakespeare!

*does a little dance of joy*

I think I'm going to be busy for a long while, hah.

Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:18 am

Sleet

Bringing Foxy Back

Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2010 1:32 amPosts: 16047Location: Nephelokokkygia

Re: Reading Thread/Discussion

I saw those books they had. Those are really neat. :3

I don't actually read a ton, but I always love the atmosphere of going into a book store. It just makes me happy for whatever reason. I wish our Borders didn't close, 'cause I have really good memories of that place.

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